Joshua Hopkins of the Hopkins Charitable Fund said: “We are very excited to launch the charity vote for Norfolk. The six charities have been shortlisted for the outstanding contribution they make to the lives of so many in the area.

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“The vote is a great way for the charities to galvanise their current supporters and reach out to new ones and they could also receive a significant donation.”

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The first charity vote for Norfolk was held in 2017. Over 1000 votes were cast with Centre 81 receiving the most votes and the top, £7,000, donation. The Hopkins Charitable Fund also holds regular votes in Suffolk and Cambridgeshire.

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The votes are one of the initiatives offered by the Hopkins Charitable Fund as part of its 2017 pledge to donate half a million pounds over the course of five years to charities and community groups across Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire.

Claire Cullens, Chief Executive of Norfolk Community Foundation added: “This is a great way for the shortlisted charities to spread the word about their current schemes and future projects, I’d urge everyone to take a look at the charities and make their choice. The generous donation from Hopkins Homes will significantly help the chosen charities to continue their excellent hard work in our communities.”

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The vote opens on Monday 18th November and will run until 5pm Friday 6th December.

Norfolk charity vote shortlist

About with Friends is passionate about supporting those living with learning disabilities to live life to the full. Donations from the vote will go towards the Cromer Seaside House.

The Cromer Seaside House is being adapted for children and young people to use for respite breaks. Members on our workskills programme will help run the house. Any donation from the vote will contribute to the installation of a wet room and other adaptive features.

The Daisy programme supports men and women living with or affected by domestic abuse in the Breckland Area. The impact of domestic abuse on mental and physical health, well-being, self-confidence and life chances is devastating and long lasting both for victims and their children.

£7,000 will provide 350 hours of much needed specialist counselling to enable survivors to recover, build resilience and live healthy, positive and productive lives.

DIAL offers free confidential information and advice to disabled and vulnerable people across the Borough of Great Yarmouth. With recent changes to the benefit system DIAL is seeking to increase its capacity to provide support and guidance to individuals across the borough in completing the complex Personal Independence application forms.

Any donation received from the charity vote will go towards the costs of employing a part-time benefits advisor, ensuring continued access to help to apply for benefits and challenge decisions.

The Matthew Project Supports children and adults across Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex, with issues around substance misuse and well-being.

Money from the vote will be used to furnish Next Steps - the Matthew Project’s brand-new Norwich recovery centre. The centre will support children, adults, and veterans affected by substance misuse, giving them the skills and support needed to maintain their recovery and move into employment, education, and training.

Sunbeams Play was set up in Great Yarmouth to address the issues faced by children, parents, carers and families of children and young people on or thought to be on the Autistic spectrum.

£7,000 would fund our weekly young carers group for a year. The group provides support, a listening ear and a break from their caring role; lowering depression, anxiety and emotional stress while raising confidence, physical and mental wellbeing.

St Martins Housing Trust aims to maximise independent living and prevent homelessness in our community by offering a hand up – housing, support and care – to the most vulnerable.

Any donation received from the vote would go towards St Martins Housing First project which aims to provide at least 20 extra beds for homeless people in Norwich in 2020. Housing First offers a different, more flexible approach to achieving the vision of reducing the number of rough sleepers to as close to zero as possible.